People

Sydney Boggs has been selected as the new communications and marketing manager for the city of Cookeville. A native of South Pittsburg, she graduated from Tennessee Technological University in December with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, concentrating in marketing. Boggs brings...

Jennifer Williams has been selected as director of planning and development for the city of Oak Ridge. Certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners, Williams has been with the city since 2018 and most recently served as senior planner before being selected as interim director of...

Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury Jason E. Mumpower has announced an upcoming leadership transition within the Office’s division of State Government Finance. 

Sandi Thompson, Director of State Government Finance, will retire effective November 30, 2025. For the past 17 years, Thompson has played...

Randy Tyree, the former Knoxville mayor who oversaw the 1982 World’s Fair, died Nov. 24, 2025, at the age of 85. Born in Carthage, Tyree earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Middle Tennessee State University and then a law degree for the University of Tennessee. He spent 10 years in...

Kristie Diamond, town clerk for Collierville, has earned the designation of Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC), which is awarded by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks. The CMC designation is only given to municipal clerks who complete demanding education requirements and have a record of...

Judy Accardi, alderwoman for Somerville, died Oct. 16, 2025 at the age of 74. Accardi was first elected to the Somerville Board of Mayor and Aldermen in 2010 also served as the alderman representative on the Somerville Planning Board. Additionally, she owned and ran Carlton's On The Square in...

Kirk Bednar has been selected as the new executive director of TCMA following the retirement of Pat Hardy. Bednar begins his new role on Jan. 1, 2026. He spent 12 years as city manager and 13 years as assistant city manager of Brentwood as well as worked as a municipal management consultant for UT...

Leigh Ann Reynolds will be retiring as the city recorder of Trenton after 17 years with the city. Reynolds has been Trenton city’s recorder since October 2011 and served as the city’s certified municipal finance officer. Before coming to Trenton, she worked as the city recorder for Bradford for nine...

Joseph Strong has been appointed the new chief building official for Johnson City. In this role, he will oversee the city’s Building Services Department’s permitting and inspection services, supervise all City trades inspectors, and lead the plans review process. A deputy state fire marshal for the...

Mike Gwinn, senior sales manager for the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism, received the prestigious 2025 Volunteer of the Year Award from the National Tour Association (NTA) at its annual conference in Ottawa, Canada. The Volunteer of the Year Award is significant because it is the only award for...

After serving 13 years as the head of the Goodlettsville Police Department, Chief Gary Goodwin announced that he will retire effective Jan. 1, 2026.  

Goodwin has 50 years of law enforcement experience and has served in various leadership positions throughout his distinguished career. 

“Serving as the...

Sam Gray has been sworn in as the new mayor of Carthage after previous Mayor Anthony Hackett resigned for personal reasons. Gray has been serving as the vice mayor of Carthage since Hackett was selected as mayor earlier this year, following the resignation of former Mayor Steve Babcock for health...